In Chapter 3, Peter Petrolle was a lightweight fighter hailing out of Schenectady, New York. His manager, Lee Shrankel, owned a cafe in Jamestown and also managed Pete's younger brother, Billy. They were both good fighters with Billy just beginning his career. Boxing was a way for a young man to come off the streets and make a name for himself. Getting to to the top in that sport meant years of learning in the ring.

L'Amour was only fourteen years old when he became the sparring partner for both brothers. Although he was young, L'Amour was tall, athletic, and had a good reach. L'Amour kept up on the boxing circuit by reading a boxing magazine published in St. Paul. It didn't interfere with L'Amour's other reading in the least. The town had been gifted with a library by townsman Alfred Dickey. L'Amour was ever grateful because it...